Kudos to Lou Ureneck for a combined dose of realism and compassion concerning the Ukrainian uprising (“Youth in search of economic justice,” Op-ed, Feb. 22). His time teaching journalism in Kiev lends authenticity to his views.
Let’s put the Ukrainian uprising in historical perspective. Despite frequent uncomprehending remarks from observers in the United States, the uprising bears strong resemblance to earlier expressions of dissent. In the future the courageous Ukrainian protesters will be lauded for their similarity to our Founding Fathers, the abolitionists, the civil rights movement, and anti-apartheid and marriage-equality activists for forcing the pace of historical change.
The same goes for Pussy Riot and those who resist authoritarianism in Russia.
Time, and history, are on their side.
The writer teaches in the history departments of the University of Massachusetts Boston and Bentley University.